Vertebrate (Inventory)/Bat Bones

From LagWiki

Jump to: navigation, search
Closeup of a bat skull. Note the gloved finger for scale.

The Bat Bones field should be used to record any observances of bat bones.

Bat bones can be found primarily on the floor. Bat bones are very fine, fragile, and, except for the skull, needle-like. They can accumulate or be scattered. They may be on the surface or mixed into sediments and soils. They can be found clinging in popcorn or other rough surfaces but they will mostly be found on the floor and usually near a wall. Often the skulls may not be present or be much harder to locate. The skulls are small, about the size of a marble and very delicate. Sometimes, a complete bat skeleton is found intact and may be partially encased and preserved in calcite. Care should be taken not to disturb or step on any bat bones found.

Look carefully along the floor, on shelves or ledges and especially near walls for the fine bones. Seeing them may require a hands-and-knees examination. If rough speleothems are in the area such as popcorn, be sure to examine it for bones which may have been caught by it. And, if a significant guano deposit is found, it is likely to contain bones so examine it. If there is any indication that bats were once in the area, it is likely that bones are around, look for them.

See also

Bat Bones, Vertebrate


Vertebrate (Inventory)/Bat Bones is a part of the cave inventory project.
Personal